139 years ago, in the era when the working class played a major role in driving industry, those workers did not have welfare or clear agreements between employers and employees.
The Industrial Revolution took place in the 18th century onwards. Production in modern industrial systems is like a “devil mill.” in which the labor class was badly extorted to fund capitalism.
Workers must work hard for 16 to 18 hours a day without holidays, without any safety or welfare standards.
In 1889, workers in the United States demanded to set a maximum of working hours to be 8 hours per day from 10-12 hours, and to review the rights of workers in other aspects as appropriate which became a rally in Haymarket Square.
In Chicago, riots broke out during a labor rally in Haymarket Square. A clash between labor and police resulted in casualties on both sides. This event has led the world to praise the courage of the negotiation for labor rights by designating 1 May every year to be An International Labor Day, also called May Day.
Haymarket riots sparked protests in many countries to negotiate fair employment and provide appropriate welfare for workers’ safety while working. Countries that announced May 1 as a national holiday are the United States, China, Germany, Denmark, Bulgaria, France, the Netherlands, Italy, Greece, India, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Laos, and Thailand.
The reason why May 1 was designated to be an International Labor Day is because, in the past, European countries considered this day to be the start of a new agricultural season. They will hold a celebration, giving flowers, singing and dancing around the Maypole, dancing around the pole decorated with bouquets and ribbons, asking for good crops, and wishing people peace and happiness.
Labor Day in Thailand first took place in 1932 when Field Marshal Plaek Pibulsongkram was Prime Minister. At that time, Thai industries began to expand. As a result, calls arose to allocate and develop workers, as well as protect and supervise workers’ working conditions. Until 1956, the government designated May 1 as National Labor Day and changed its name to Labor Day in 1957.
In the early days of Labor Day, employees had not yet taken a day off. It took 17 years till this day was declared as a holiday for workers to celebrate Labor Day in 1974. Due to this holiday, workers with farming families will use this opportunity to return to the provinces to start the sowing season. This is an auspicious time to cultivate to wait for rain during May-June.
Currently, Thailand has a labor supervising agency such as the Ministry of Labor, which is divided into the Department of Employment, the Department of Skill Development, the Department of Labor Protection and Welfare, and the Social Security Office. For more information, please call the Ministry of Labor hotline. 1506
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